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Cloves are the unopened buds of the Eugenia caryophyllata tree that grows in tropical climates, native to Indonesia. The buds are extremely aromatic and used as a spice in many Asian dishes.
The oil that is extracted from clove buds is complex and potent in flavor. Clove oil has many beneficial culinary and medicinal uses due to its high concentration of eugenol.
Let’s explore some of the popular benefits and uses of clove oil.
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Relieve the Pain of a Toothache and Treat Mouth Sores
The oil from cloves has both anesthetic and anti-bacterial properties. It is extremely useful in relieving pain from a toothache and teething (when extremely diluted).
The ability to fight bacteria makes this oil very helpful when treating tooth decay, gum infections, mouth sores, and associated bad breath. You can place a drop of oil directly on the affected area or dilute it in water to use as a mouthwash.
Put a Damper on a Yeast Infection
One of the most promising benefits of clove oil is its anti-fungal properties. This powerful oil is an effective treatment for both oral thrush and intestinal and vaginal Candidiasis, according to Lisa Richards, author of The Ultimate Candida Diet.
She recommends drinking it in tea form for best results. She also cautions that it is very potent and should be used in moderation.
Rid Your Intestines of Parasites
Cloves are an ingredient in many parasite cleanses preparations. It is believed that the essential oil of cloves is capable of destroying the eggs that intestinal parasites and worms lay, as reported by Natural News.
When combined with black walnut and wormwood, cloves assist in breaking the cycle of the parasites’ reproduction.
Treat Bacterial Acne
Acne is often caused by bacteria that is trapped inside the pores of our skin. The anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties of clove oil can be very helpful when used topically in the treatment of cystic acne.
It is highly recommended that the oil be diluted or combined with a carrier oil, such as coconut oil, when used topically for skin conditions.
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Boost Your Natural Immunity
Clove oil has anti-viral and anti-microbial properties. It also has the ability to purify our blood. Cloves are a great source of antioxidants.
Antioxidants, such as vitamin A, vitamin C, and beta-carotene in cloves, are responsible for dealing with the free radicals that cause us to age prematurely and make us susceptible to diseases like cancer.
Improve Your Mental and Physical Energy and Decrease Fatigue
The oil from cloves is a natural blood thinner that increases circulation by reducing tension in the blood vessels. This helps to oxygenate our blood and our organs.
Increased oxygen results in more efficient metabolism, improved energy, less fatigue, and better cognition and overall brain function.
Find Instant Relief for a Headache
The main component of clove oil, eugenol, has analgesic properties that can knock back pain when applied topically and absorbed through the skin.
A couple of drops added to a carrier oil, such as jojoba or grapeseed, is sufficient for application to the temples and neck to help ease a tension headache.
Try this recipe developed by Everyday Roots. Diffusing and breathing in the oil can also help with headache pain related to sinus pressure.
Ease the Pain of an Earache
Earaches are very common in children when they come down with a viral infection, such as a cold or flu. The anesthetic and analgesic properties of clove oil can relive the pain associated with a piercing earache.
You can add a couple of drops to warm, natural sesame oil and place 1 or 2 drops of that in the affected ear for quick relief.
Help With an Upper Respiratory Condition
Clove oil can be helpful in clearing congested nasal passages and lungs. It is anti-inflammatory and has expectorant qualities.
According to Dr. Yeshi Dhonden, a warm tea can be made from clove oil to treat a cold or other respiratory infection. Clove tea can soothe a sore throat and ease a cough.
Cool Down Indigestion and Quiet Nausea
The oil from cloves is an effective remedy for stomach related complaints, such as indigestion, nausea, and vomiting. Many Eastern cultures include the dried spice in meal preparations for this reason.
Diffusing clove essential oil in an aromatherapy application can also be very helpful in relieving nausea, especially for expectant mothers who are experiencing morning sickness.
Naturally Repel Insects
Strong, aromatic herbs and spices are natural insect deterrents. Mosquitoes are especially repelled by the scent of clove oil. You can put a couple of drops in a 4 ounce spray bottle of water and sprits it on your clothes and skin every few hours when outside.
One of our favorite bug remedies is to add 5 drops each of clove essential oil and lavender essential oil to 2 cups of baking soda + 2 tablespoons of food grade diatomaceous earth. Sprinkle this on carpets to destroy dust mites and bed bugs.
It will also absorb odors. Vacuum after 3 to 12 hours.
Summary of Clove Oil Benefits and Uses
When buying clove oil, look for 100% pure, therapeutic grade, organic essential oil of clove for the safest product when using in and on your body. You can also make your own clove oil inexpensively. Here is a video of how to do that.
Clove oil is a wonderful ingredient in aromatic recipes. It also has beneficial healing qualities when used in aromatherapy, applied topically, placed in the ears, or ingested in a tea. Clove oil can be used as a household cleaning agent, odor eliminator, and an insect repellent.
The oil of cloves has antibacterial, anti-fungal, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic properties. It is also a good source of free radical fighting antioxidants.
This versatile oil is one that we should all have in our kitchen pantries and medicine chests for any or all of the uses described in this article.
Looking for a great way to use this oil? Take a look at our essential oil diffuser necklace.